The Bank Dick

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The Bank Dick

1940,

1h 14m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

96%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Egbert Sousé (W.C. Fields) becomes an unexpected hero when a bank robber falls over a bench he's occupying. Now considered brave, Egbert is given a job as a bank guard. Soon, he is approached by charlatan J. Frothingham Waterbury (Russell Hicks) about buying shares in a mining company. Egbert persuades teller Og Oggilby (Grady Sutton) to lend him bank money, to be returned when the scheme pays off. Unfortunately, bank inspector Snoopington (Franklin Pangborn) then makes a surprise appearance.

Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

May 7, 2024

The audience is asleep because this was never made as a picture. It is stiff and static and holds no interest outside of W. C Fields -- you don’t care what happens to anybody else, you don’t care what the outcome; you forget immediately if there was any.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Apr 1, 2008

This 1940 film seems to spring straight from his cranky, beleaguered, convoluted personality, with no concessions made to film form, audience enjoyment, or common sense, and still it's very funny in a desultory, strangely private kind of way.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Mar 25, 2006

4/5

For anyone who simply likes to laugh at the reckless manities of an inspired buffoon, we recommend The Bank Dick. It's great fun.

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Ellie Lucas

From the Front Row

Nov 29, 2021

3.5/4

There's a hilarious sense of nonchalance about the whole thing, and if Fields and Cline are just throwing everything they've got at this thing and seeing what works as the film is unfolding.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 13, 2021

4/4

Arguably stands as Fields' finest achievement.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 3, 2020

6/10

It's a prominently jumbled picture, switching from one gimmick to the next in a haphazard manner.

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Albus M

Apr 8, 2019

"Og Oggliby, sounds like a bubble in a bath tub".

Jan 26, 2019

The best, GREATEST comedy movie ever made!

Abraham G

Jan 4, 2018

It's pronounced Sousé! This is one of the 10 best slapstick comedies!

Finn M

Apr 12, 2017

Hilarious movie. I wish they still made them like this. Definitely re-watch worthy. Buy it.

Anakin L

Feb 12, 2017

This was my first W.C. Fields movie and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The humour actually felt quite modern even though the film is from 1940. Definitely worth checking out for lovers of classic comedies!

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Edward F. Cline

Director

W.C. Fields

Egbert Sousé

Cora Witherspoon

Agatha Sousé

Una Merkel

Myrtle Sousé

Evelyn Del Rio

Elsie Mae Adele Brunch Sousé

Jessie Ralph

Mrs. Hermisillo Brunch

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Synopsis

Egbert Sousé (W.C. Fields) becomes an unexpected hero when a bank robber falls over a bench he's occupying. Now considered brave, Egbert is given a job as a bank guard. Soon, he is approached by charlatan J. Frothingham Waterbury (Russell Hicks) about buying shares in a mining company. Egbert persuades teller Og Oggilby (Grady Sutton) to lend him bank money, to be returned when the scheme pays off. Unfortunately, bank inspector Snoopington (Franklin Pangborn) then makes a surprise appearance.

Director: Edward F. Cline
Producer: Edward Muhl, Nate Blumberg
Screenwriter: W.C. Fields
Distributor: Universal Pictures, Criterion Collection, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 29, 1940, Original
Release Date (DVD): Nov 9, 2004
Runtime: 1h 14m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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